Police Drop Firing Range Plan Because Of Nesting Eagles

CHICAGO (CBS) – They say you can’t fight City Hall, but being a federally protected bald eagle doesn’t hurt.

The Chicago Police Department confirmed Monday that it is dropping plans to install an outdoor shooting range on the Far Southeast Side, along the Calumet River, following environmental concerns over the bald eagles that have been seen nesting near the former industrial site.

“When we began exploring options for sites, we made sure there was a process in place so that organizations would be able to provide input. Based upon the input we received throughout that process, the Chicago Police Department decided not to pursue this site,” the police department said in a written statement to CBS 2.

Conservationists had opposed the shooting-range idea, saying it would harass and disperse the eagles.

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said he took the concerns seriously.

“We want to be environmentally friendly, and obviously to bald eagles. It’s very important to the United States as our national bird,” he said earlier this year.

For now, Chicago police will travel to Aurora to get outdoor firing range experience, the department said.